Chapter 4 THE ENEMY STRIKES BACK

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‎"Smile, Clara, just smile," Kevin muttered as they stepped into the glittering hall.

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‎Clara adjusted the strap of her gown nervously. "Easy for you to say. Everyone here already knows you. They just see me as.."

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‎"My wife," Kevin cut in firmly, tightening his grip on her hand.

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‎But the whispers had already started. Clara caught pieces as they walked past.

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‎"Who is she?"

‎"Not Evelyn, that's for sure."

‎"She looks... ordinary."

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‎Clara's stomach twisted. She kept her chin high, trying not to show how much it stung.

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‎They hadn't even reached their table when Evelyn appeared. She wore a perfect dress, flawless hair, sharp smile. She slid right in front of them as if she owned the floor.

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‎"Kevin," she purred, leaning close. "You didn't tell me you'd be here."

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‎Clara froze. Evelyn's hand lingered on Kevin's arm far too long.

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‎Kevin's jaw tightened. "Evelyn. Clara and I are just arriving."

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‎Evelyn's eyes flicked to Clara, scanning her from head to toe like she was cheap fabric. "Clara," she said sweetly, "lovely to see you again. I hope you're adjusting... well."

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‎Clara forced a smile. "I'm fine, thank you."

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‎"Oh good," Evelyn said, then looped her arm through Kevin's like she belonged there. "Kevin, the press is asking for photos. Come, they're waiting."

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‎Clara's heart dropped. Evelyn dragged him a step forward before Kevin pulled his arm free. His voice was sharp. "I'll go with my wife, not you."

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‎For a split second, Evelyn's smile faltered. But she recovered quickly, laughing like it was a joke. "Of course. Just don't forget who the real audience came to see."

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‎As she walked away, heads turned and cameras followed her like she was royalty. Clara stood there, feeling like nothing.

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‎Kevin turned to her. "Ignore her. She's trying to provoke you."

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‎Clara's voice was small. "She doesn't even have to try. Everyone in this room looks at her like she's the one who belongs next to you, not me."

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‎Kevin reached for her hand again. "Clara, you are my wife. That's all that matters."

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‎But as flashes popped around Evelyn across the room, Clara wasn't sure she believed him.

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‎******

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‎"Clara, wait up," Kevin called, jogging after her as she stormed down the corridor after the event.

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‎She spun around, eyes blazing. "Don't touch me."

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‎"I wasn't going to.."

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‎"Really? Because you stood there while Evelyn had her hands all over you. Do you know what it looked like?"

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‎Kevin sighed. "You think I wanted her there? She just shows up, she thrives on this."

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‎"And you let her!" Clara shot back. "You just stand there and let her humiliate me. Do you know how small I felt tonight?"

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‎Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm trying to protect you."

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‎"Protect me?" She laughed bitterly. "By ignoring me in front of everyone? By letting her cling to you like I don't exist?"

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‎He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't understand what's at stake."

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‎"Then explain it!" she snapped. "Why can't you ever tell me the truth?"

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‎"Because it's complicated." Kelvin said.

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‎"That's not an answer, Kevin." clara shot back.

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‎His jaw clenched. "I'm handling it. You need to trust me."

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‎Clara's chest heaved. "Trust? You've been lying since the beginning. First, it was little things. Now I hear you on secret calls about some will, and tonight Evelyn acts like she's still yours and you just stand there."

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‎Kevin's eyes flickered, like he wanted to say something but held back. "Clara, please. This is bigger than you know."

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‎She folded her arms tightly. "Then let me in, stop treating me like some pawn in your game."

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‎His voice hardened. "You're not a pawn."

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‎"Then prove it," she shot back, holding his gaze.

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‎The silence stretched. Kevin finally said, "I can't, not yet."

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‎Clara's heart sank. "Then maybe you're not who I thought you were."

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‎She pushed past him and walked away, leaving him standing in the hall, fists clenched, watching her go.

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‎******

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‎Clara sat on her bed, staring at her phone. It buzzed again, it was an unknown number. She hesitated, then answered.

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‎"Hello?"

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There was silence on the other end of the phone, just heavy breathing on the other end.

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‎Her hand tightened around the phone. "Who is this?"

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‎Click. The call ended.

‎‎Her stomach twisted. She tossed the phone on the nightstand and whispered, "What is happening to me?"

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‎Before she could gather her thoughts, the TV in the living room blasted with breaking news. Clara grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.

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‎A reporter's voice rang out: "We're live at the Raymond Hotel where Evelyn Stone has called a surprise press conference."

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‎Clara froze.

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‎The camera zoomed in on Evelyn, flawless as ever, standing behind a podium with flashing cameras all around.

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‎"Good evening," Evelyn said sweetly, adjusting the microphone. "I know there has been much speculation about my relationship with Kevin Raymond."

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‎Clara's chest tightened.

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‎Evelyn smiled, resting a hand on her stomach. "Well, tonight I want to share the truth. Kevin and I... we are expecting a child."

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‎The room erupted, reporters shouting, cameras firing nonstop.

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‎Clara's knees buckled, and she sank onto the couch, phone slipping from her hand. "No... no, that can't be true."

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‎The news anchor cut back in: "You heard it here first, Evelyn Stone, claiming she's pregnant with Kevin Raymond's baby. This announcement is expected to shake both the Raymond empire and Kevin's current relationship."

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‎Clara covered her mouth, trembling. The phone buzzed again on the table. Same unknown number.

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‎This time, when she picked up, a low voice finally spoke:

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‎"You don't belong with him, Clara. Leave... before it's too late."